Author

Date of Award

Degree Type

Degree Name

Department

First Advisor

Charles A. Bouman

Second Advisor

Lauren Christopher

Committee Chair

Charles A. Bouman

Committee Co-Chair

Lauren Christopher

Committee Member 1

Edward J. Delp

Committee Member 2

Paul Salama

Abstract

Three-dimensional movie acquisition and corresponding depth data is commonly generated from multiple cameras and multiple views. This technology has high cost and large size which are limitations for medical devices, military surveillance and current consumer products such as small camcorders and cell phone movie cameras. This research result shows that a single imager, equipped with a fast-focus microfluidic lens, produces a highly accurate depth map. On test material, the depth is found to be an average Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 3.543 gray level steps (1.38\%) accuracy compared to ranging data. The depth is inferred using a new Extended Depth from Defocus (EDfD), and defocus is achieved at movie speeds with a microfluidic lens. Camera non-uniformities from both lens and sensor pipeline are analysed. The findings of some lens effects can be compensated for, but noise has the detrimental effect. In addition, early indications show that real-time HDTV 3D movie frame rates are feasible.